The Tampa Bay Rays and three time AL All-Star pitcher David Price agreed to a one year, $14 million contract on Thursday.
The $14 million salary is the highest single season salary in the history of the Rays franchise. It’s also more than what Price made last year. Last year he earned $10,112,500. Price, the 2012 CY Young award winner, was part of trade speculation after he went 10-8 and had a 3.33 ERA last year, according to the Associated Press. Last year Price was on the disabled list for the first time in his career with strained triceps.
Price will become a free agent after the 2015 season. The Rays keeping Price is a good thing. Last year he led the AL with a 5.59 strike-out to walk ratio and was fourth among all AL left handers in that category, according to MLB.com. Price is the Rays all-time leader in ERA (3.19) and winning percentage (.645) and is second in victories (71) behind James Shields, according to Fox Sports.
By reaching a deal with Price, the Rays avoided arbitration. Price was projected to earn at least $13 million after arbitration this offseason. The Rays have made the playoffs for the fourth time in six years last season.